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Construction to begin on aerial adventure park in Bristol Woods Park

Work on a new aerial adventure park within Kenosha County’s Bristol Woods Park is scheduled to begin this week.

The park, set to open by summer 2019, is the result of a partnership between Kenosha County Parks and Boundless Adventures, a New York-based company that operates similar high-ropes courses in Purchase, N.Y., and Berlin, Mass.

Bristol Woods will undergo natural-area improvements within the Boundless Adventures premises starting Wednesday. Contractors for Boundless Adventures will be clearing brush and invasive species as well as pruning and removal of hazardous trees.

This is the first step in the preparation for the construction of platforms and connecting cables that will crisscross through the tree canopy within a six-acre section of the 200-acre park. Nine courses will vary in difficulty, offering visitors of all ages and skill levels the opportunity to traverse the park via zip lines, ladders and bridges.

“This adventure park is unlike anything in our area, and we’re excited to bring it to Bristol Woods Park,” Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser said. “In recent years, we’ve made a concerted effort to draw more people out to our parks with more activities geared to people of all ages and interests. This is the latest such effort, and I expect it will be a popular attraction.”

Lorrie Funtleyder, who founded Boundless Adventures with her husband, Bryan Funtleyder, said they are excited to bring their business to Kenosha County.

“Boundless Adventures is looking forward to expanding our passion for adventure to the Midwest at Bristol Woods Park,” Funtleyder said. “Our newest park will offer the region a destination for families, friends and teams of all ages and skill levels to challenge their boundaries. We are extremely grateful for the support and warm welcome we have received from Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser and Director of County Parks Matthew Collins.”

Collins said the public-private partnership that led to this development began last year, when Boundless Adventures approached Kenosha County, looking to locate one of its facilities in the Chicago-Milwaukee corridor. Bristol Woods Park is located at 9800 160th Ave. (Highway MB) in the Village of Bristol.

Earlier this year, the County Board approved a contract that outlines Boundless Adventures’ responsibilities. Under the agreement, Kenosha County Parks will share in the revenue generated by the adventure park, which will charge admission to users. The county will use these funds for maintenance and improvements to Bristol Woods and other parks.

Great care will be taken to preserve the natural beauty and peaceful nature of Bristol Woods Park and its longtime tenant, the private, nonprofit Pringle Nature Center, Collins said.

“We have worked with all stakeholders to ensure that the new aerial adventure park co-exists and highlights the great natural resources and environmental education that is offered within Bristol Woods Park, Collins said. “The addition of Boundless Adventures is a unique way to connect our youth to nature and get our next generation outside and active within our park system.”

Barry Thomas, president of Pringle Nature Center’s board of directors, noted that Pringle Nature Center and the rest of Bristol Woods Park will retain its mission of providing environmental education to visitors.

“During the construction and operation of Boundless Adventures’ ropes course, we’ll be open for business as usual for field trips, hiking and special events,” Thomas said. “We are also pleased to be working with Boundless Adventures to include an environmental education component in its aerial tours.”

Learn more about Bristol Woods Park and the entire Kenosha County Parks system at http://parks.kenoshacounty.org and at www.facebook.com/KenoshaCountyParks. More information about Boundless Adventures’ existing parks, including photos and frequently asked questions, is available at www.boundlessadventures.net.